Immigrant youth of United We Dream Action have been in a back-to-back effort of blockwalking, coinciding with online ads exposing Cruz as an enabler of Trump’s mass deportation agenda. After Trump killed the DACA program and the Republican-controlled Congress left them in danger by failing to pass the Dream Act, immigrant youth know how important it is to elect new champions in Congress and are taking their case directly to voters.

Yuridia & Dhamaris knock doors for Beto and Lina in East Houston #LastWeekend

(Left) Hector and Daniel canvass in a predominantly Black neighborhood in South Houston; (Right) Angulus and Erick, two high schoolers, canvass for Beto O’Rourke & Lina Hidalgo.

Dhamaris, 16, high school student and immigrant youth leader with United We Dream Action. This is her first time canvassing. She said:

“This weekend I talked to a voter who is behind Lina but planned to vote for Ted Cruz just because he did the last time around — after sharing that Cruz voted with Trump to deport immigrant youth, he decided to take our literature and consider voting for Beto.

“At another household, I had a genuine conversation with a mother who felt disempowered about the way immigrants are treated by our current politicians. We shared our stories and told her that behind our endorsements are hope and accountability, because that’s what this is all about: building power and changing Texas into a state that honors our humanity.”

Daniel Briones is an immigrant youth leader with United We Dream Action who traveled from San Marcos to Houston to canvass for an election for the first time. He said of his experience:

“When Trump was elected and DACA was terminated I felt so hopeless and like I was losing control of my life. That is why this weekend was so empowering, because I was working with and meeting people like me to turn the tide for our state. This election means the difference between deportation or protection and a pathway to citizenship for immigrant youth.”

The first wave of canvassers gather to prepare for canvassing on Saturday morning.

The first wave of canvassers gather to prepare for canvassing on Saturday morning.

You can find more photos from local and national canvassing for the #HereToStay campaign on Twitter.